SWR Letter for prosecution

[anon55]

I have recieved the letter below from SWR. I have already responded via email but I am wondering whether I need to still send the letter back with the information completed on the back? Or whether because I have already responded in an email I no longer need to do anything with the physical letter ?

Any info will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Fawkes Cat]

Welcome to the forum.

The letter asks for a response 'in writing, or to prosecutions@swrailway.com' (n.b. copied from memory as I am on my phone so could be slightly wrong - but I think I have got the gist of it) so an email should be ok by itself, as long as you included your name and address, the case reference and so on.

 

[rmHawk765]

The letter is worded a bit confusingly but just FYI, it appears that they may be willing to settle out-of-court if you contact them about this within 21 days. However I will leave that to the experts.

 

[z444z]

It's extremely likely that SWR will settle if an appropriate response is sent. It would have been best to get help from us on how to respond to SWR - can you show us what you've sent in response and share a bit about the background to this case, ideally answering all the points in the pinned post in this section of the forum, so we can properly advise?

As their letter suggests, a reply by post or email is acceptable, there's no need to do both.

 

[anon55]

Hi. I have recieved the following letter and need to respond ASAP. They have said they have highlighted inconsistencies in my puchase history which is fair as I have done this before (short faring by buying Vauxhall to Waterloo but travelling from Effingham Junction (no barriers)). They have not provided any further details. Should I request for details of these inconsistencies and how shall I best word it ?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Apr 2026 ==

follow up: my initial response to the first letter recieved was as follows: just wondering what my next email should be

To whom it may concern,

Ref: XXXX

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to respond to your letter dated 20th March 2026.

On the morning of Monday 9th March 2026 I was stopped by a Revenue Protection Officer at Waterloo station and was unable to produce a valid ticket for my full journey when asked.

I accept that on this occasion I did not hold a valid ticket for my full journey and for that I am sincerely sorry. I recognise that it was shortsighted and foolish of me to not have purchased my full fare. I appreciate that fare evasion is unfair to the railway, it's staff and the other passengers that pay a full fare for their journey.

I have reflected on this incident, and I am ashamed of my actions and realise how irresponsible it was to make this decision. Since this incident I have ensured I have always paid the correct and full fare for all journeys and will continue to do so going forward. I have fully learnt the error of my ways and will not be making the same foolish decision again.

I would be grateful if I was offered the opportunity to settle this matter out of court. I am happy and willing to pay the outstanding fare and any administrative costs that you as South Western Railway will have incurred surrounding this matter and I am prepared to do so promptly.

I sincerely hope given my cooperation and genuine remorse; this matter can be resolved without court involvement.

Yours faithfully

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Apr 2026 ==

I will also add that my first email above was just sent to the generic prosecutions email address. Will the individual who has been assigned my case read that email already or is it worth copying it and using it again along with requesting details of the online account inconsistencies ?

 

[z444z]

Hi. I have recieved the following letter and need to respond ASAP. They have said they have highlighted inconsistencies in my puchase history which is fair as I have done this before (short faring by buying Vauxhall to Waterloo but travelling from Effingham Junction (no barriers)). They have not provided any further details. Should I request for details of these inconsistencies and how shall I best word it?

I would suggest a brief response thanking them for getting in touch, making it clear you wish to cooperate, and asking for a list of journeys they are looking into so that you can check it against your records. Write something and post it here and we can suggest any edits necessary

I will also add that my first email above was just sent to the generic prosecutions email address. Will the individual who has been assigned my case read that email already

I would think so yes.